NEA Monthly News Bulletin - February 2015

New at the NEA

Technology Roadmap: Nuclear Energy

The 2015 edition of the Technology Roadmap: Nuclear Energy jointly prepared by the International Energy Agency (IEA) and the NEA, has just been published. Nuclear energy can play a key role in decarbonising electricity systems by providing a stable source of low‑carbon baseload electricity. By identifying major barriers and recommendations on how they can be overcome, this roadmap aims to assist governments interested in introducing, maintaining or developing nuclear energy technologies to do so in a safe, publicly accepted and affordable manner. The report finds that in order to meet the target of limiting global temperature increases to 2oC (the 2D scenario), global installed nuclear capacity would need to more than double from current levels of 396 GW to reach 930 GW in 2050, with nuclear power representing 17% of global electricity production. Read more about the roadmap and its seven key actions for the next ten years. Download the new edition here: oe.cd/QQ.

Webinar on roadmap to nuclear energy

The NEA and the IEA hosted a webinar on 29 January 2015 to disseminate the findings from the latest edition of the Technology Roadmap: Nuclear Energy. The webinar featured opening remarks by IEA Executive Director Maria van der Hoeven and NEA Director‑General William D. Magwood, IV. A detailed presentation was then given on the report's main findings and key messages, followed by a question and answer session.

"As many of the world's nations look to make significant reductions in carbon emissions in the coming decades, it will be important to consider new, advanced technologies," NEA Director‑General Magwood said. "That is the central motivation behind this roadmap." Watch the webinar recording here: youtu.be/fcoBe6mFSCI

World Nuclear University (WNU) Summer Institute

The NEA is one of the founding organisations and a co‑sponsor of the World Nuclear University (WNU) Summer Institute. The Summer Institute's 2015 session will take place between 4 July and 14 August 2015 at Uppsala University in Sweden. The intensive six‑week programme will include lectures and tutorials and cover global environment and sustainable development, nuclear‑related technology innovation, nuclear diplomacy and nuclear operations. For more information and to apply, visit world-nuclear-university.org.

The 2015 edition of the IEA/NEA nuclear energy technology roadmap highlights key near‑term actions to be implemented by stakeholders to ensure that nuclear energy development is on track in achieving the emissions reductions required by 2050. Read the seven key actions.

The NEA Radioactive Waste Management Committee's initiative on the Preservation of Records, Knowledge and Memory (RK&M) across Generations is a unique international venue for reflecting on how to transmit RK&M over timescales that go from centuries to millennia. At the RK&M meeting which took place on 19‑21 January 2015, participants decided to create maps of potential components of a systemic approach to RK&M preservation that depends on the timescales considered and that relies upon a number of inter‑related transmission mechanisms. Mechanisms on which additional work will be carried out include national archives, markers and time capsules, international frameworks and the "Key Information File" (KIF). The KIF work will provide an international, standardised structure for synthesising key information about each national repository. In addition, the RK&M will co‑operate with the RWMC Regulators' Forum on the issue of transfer of responsibilities from today's oversight bodies to future bodies at some point in time. RK&M studies of hazardous waste facilities show that loss of records and information is more likely to occur when responsibilities are handed over to other responsible bodies.

The NEA's International Nuclear Emergency Exercise (INEX) series has proven successful in testing, investigating and improving national and international response arrangements for nuclear accidents and radiological emergencies.
Built on the outcomes of the last exercise on consequence management and transition to recovery, the INEX‑5 exercise will address emergency management aspects of notification, communication and interfaces between and among countries and international organisations during the early phase of a release from a nuclear power plant due to a catastrophic natural disaster. The exercise will be conducted from September 2015 to June 2016. Find out more at oe.cd/Qn.

The NEA's International Nuclear Law Essentials (INLE) will take place on 16‑20 March 2015 at the OECD Conference Centre in Paris, France. The INLE programme is designed to provide working professionals with a comprehensive understanding of the various legal issues relating to the safe, efficient, secure and environmentally friendly use of nuclear energy. The programme addresses developments in nuclear law and provides a high‑quality, intensive overview of a complex body of laws and legal regimes. Renowned specialists in nuclear law from international organisations, governments and private industry will present the course content and engage the participants in examining current issues in nuclear law. Interested individuals should apply as soon as possible to reserve a space. For the application and additional information, please see oe.cd/PM. Deadline for applications: 27 February 2015.

Are you interested in writing an article for the Nuclear Law Bulletin?

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Details on the publication process, time frames, language and style are available here: oe.cd/Rz